This is the fifth post of “Woman of Faith” The last posts is based on the book of Esther and Sarah, The Canaanite woman, and Rahab. This time I collaborated with my friend Kimberly to write this post. Today I had the opportunity to have breakfast with Kimberly and I tell her about my post “Woman of Faith” Then we decided to write together. For this post we chose Lydia.
And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (Acts: 16:13-15)
For both of us, figure of Lydia is an awesome example. Her faithful could be a wonderful testimony to every of us especially to the new Christian. We can learn something valuable from Lydia. Oftentimes after a person becomes a Christian they don’t know what to do next, or maybe they feel intimidated by other, more seasoned, Christians. A new Christian has a loss of inertia, a waning of energy.
But let’s we see Lydia. All of these matters not become a hindrance of her commitment as a new Christian. Wholeheartedly she immediately threw herself into the Kingdom of God. She provides and opens her door house, also open her heart to the weary and tortured Christians.
Her vehemence determination should to be notice. Act 16:15 mentioned: “She constrained us” it looks like there is no word “No” for an answer. She insists to taking part in the Kingdom of God work that was available to her. She does not sit around and wait for people who need her help or waiting until someone informed her that there is people who need her help. What did she do? She drowned herself into the first place of service that she could find.
She unites herself to the church ministry and then her house became the default place for worship and refuge for Christians. Even Paul and Silas came to her house. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left. (Act 16:40).
My dear lovely blogger, there is something valuable of this story. Figure of Lydia, once again reminds us that to be active, plunge and actively involved in the ministry is do not need years of experience. Become the member of the Kingdom of Lord works just need openness of our heart. Like Lydia, she opens her heart wholeheartedly to serve God. God has opened Lydia’s heart through Paul’s message and she commit to serve God wholeheartedly, Come; now it’s our turn to get involved in God services with what we can do. Do not only sitting and waiting, to be active! Let’s we learn from Lydia’s determination and faithfulness who have longs to serve our God. If at this time we have not participated in the kingdom of God’s work starting from now let’s we thinking about what we can do.
Taking part in God’s work does not always have to be in the church. We could do the God ministry everywhere. We can do it all around us whether in our office, among our friends, our neighborhood, or even in our family. Discover our talents that we can use for God’s work. Find out where the fields of God services are available to us and which in accordance with our ability. Let’s we go to the place that God has provided, but not to the convenient and safe place as we would like. Amen.
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.(Luke 10:2)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.(John 15:16)
Karina – Kimberly Gow – Young Christian Career Woman Fellowship
Photo art work by Ar Vhee http://metarvheenoia.wordpress.com
Karina's Thought 